Virtual Reality Technology

Sony toying with virtual-reality gaming headgear?

Sony built its Consumer Electronics Show 2011 press conference around a massive push into the 3D space , going so far as to ask attendees to wear the medium's polarized glasses throughout its presentation. In addition to games, movies, and TVs that boast 3D compatibility, the studio trotted out a headset that resembled Cyclops' headgear and called up nascent virtual-reality technology.

That 3D head-mounted display may be used for more than just viewing passive entertainment. Speaking with Develop , Sony Europe group studio manager Mick Hocking said the company is currently researching ways to integrate the 3D headset into virtual-reality-type games.

Read more of " Sony toying with virtual reality gaming headgear - Report " at GameSpot.

Virtual Reality Helps Veterans With Alcohol Abuse Cope With ...

The spoils of war for returning veterans may include addictions, injury, and the constant images of horrific events they witnessed. Now a University of Houston joint study funded by the Veterans Health Administration Rehabilitation Research and Development service looks to address these issues through the use of virtual reality. Included in this report is a video with general information about this interesting use of computer technology.

The UH Graduate College of Social Work (GCSW) joins Baylor College of Medicine and the Neurorehabilitation: Neurons to Networks Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VA) for a pilot project to assess the feasibility of using virtual reality environments to treat alcohol abuse issues in veterans.

“Our goal is to help them stop their drinking. The basis is standard relapse prevention therapy sessions, but we augment it using virtual environments,” said professor Patrick Bordnick, director of the GCSW’s Virtual Reality Lab. “The virtual environments allow a patient to practice coping skills in the environments that trigger the cravings and relapse.”

A recent report from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) indicated alcohol abuse is dangerously high among returning veterans, increasing their vulnerability to other abuses, such as illicit drugs or behaviors such as drinking and driving. The eight-week project targets 10-20 veterans, who range in age from 19 to 64 and are living with a traumatic brain injury and/or post traumatic stress syndrome. Results from this study will be used to create a larger study.

With their therapist nearby, veterans will wear a virtual reality helmet to place them in the environments. Using a controller, participants will navigate bar settings, parties or convenient stores where avatars will personalize their interaction, addressing the veteran by name and allowing him or her to practice coping skills. There also is an environment where the participant is home alone.

“This will be a full-sensory experience where participants will see items that may trigger their alcohol cravings, such as food or cigarettes. They’ll hear sporting events on televisions, glasses clinking or the murmur of bar patrons. They’ll also smell the food, smoke or their alcoholic drink of choice,” Bordnick said. “This experience is as close to the real thing as possible, but conducted in a safe clinical environment with their therapist.

Virtual reality technology

Virtual reality technology, a report of the Task Group on Virtual Reality to the High Performance Computing and Communications and Information Technology (HPCCIT) Subcommittee the (FCCSET) Committee on Physical, Mathematical and Engineering Sciences

Understanding virtual reality, interface, application, and design

Virtual Reality Technology 2Nd Ed. (W/Cd) (With Cd)

Intelligent Robotics and Applications, First International Conference, ICIRA 2008 Wuhan, China, October 15-17, 2008 Proceedings